Patty Jo Hedges-Ward talks with KSR about Tonie Morgan tying her single-game assists record

Kentucky point guard Tonie Morgan made history on Wednesday night when she recorded 16 assists in a 60-point win over USC Upstate, tying the program’s single-game assists record that had solely been held by Patty Jo Hedges-Ward since 1982.

The Kenny Brooks era in Lexington has been nothing short or record-breaking — so much so that it led to him to literally shattering record in his 2025 Big Blue Madness introduction. When he looked at the camera and said, “And we’re not done yet,” he wasn’t lying.

Hedges-Ward, a former point guard herself, was an incredible player. She played an instrumental part in Kentucky’s run to the 1982 SEC Tournament Championship — the first one in program history. To this day, she remains Kentucky’s all-time career assists leader (731).

Following Morgan’s legendary outing against the Spartans, Hedges-Ward spoke to KSR about what the 5-foot-9 Georgia Tech transfer accomplished.

When watching Morgan play, Hedges-Ward sees some of the same skills that made her such a dangerous passer back in the day.

“First, my congratulations to Tonie, she said. “There’s a lot that goes in to an assist. You must be a willing and able passer. I always thought one of my best attributes was being able to dribble with my head up when being heavily guarded, so you could see who was open ahead of you.”

It takes a special kind of unselfishness to truly be great at the one. You have to to play to win and you have to play with a team mindset.

“A good point guard must be willing to try and make those around them better,” Hedges-Ward explained. “You can’t care who gets the headlines and credit. It also takes having great scorers around you, of course. I had the best with Valerie Still.”

Morgan has an elite big at her disposal too — the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Clara Strack. The 6-foot-5 junior is averaging 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and two steals per game, and she put up 18, 16, four and three against USC Upstate. However, the talent on this Kentucky team doesn’t stop there.

Like Hedges-Ward did, Morgan has an elite cast of shooters around her that help boost the assist numbers.

“A great point guard is only as good as those around them,” Hedges-Ward mentioned. “Great outside shooters like Lea Wise, Lisa Collins, Leslie Nichols and others had to make their shots. I am sure a lot more records will be broken. I love Coach Brooks’ style of playing. That freedom will allow others to do what they do best to be successful and make the team win. Makes me proud to be a Lady Kat.”

Kentucky will play Marshall on the road at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Considering Morgan has dished out at least nine dimes in each of her last three games, she may prone for another big-time performance against the Thundering Herd.

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